4/17 Expressions

Not much frugal or unfrugal today. The weather was lovely so I gave the garden a drink. I did receive property appraisals from the county for our rental properties but not our primary home. I have sent in written protests in the past - and so far, everyone that we have protested (4 times in the last 10 years), we have gotten a reduction of some kind. Many counties have tax appraisal information available to the public - this can be good and bad. To see if your county has one, you can search XXX (name) County Tax Assessor XXX (state) - and if something comes up - you may have to click around some - but you can check your numbers on-line if your county has gone electronic.

4/16 Expressions

Not much frugal or frugal thinking today. I did mail in for a rebate of 2 movie tickets from Twizzlers. I think my husband and daughter will be set in "free" movies this summer. Such a nice day. Doesn't look like the gardens have been affected by the "freeze". I hope I can make a simple salads soon from the home-grown stuff. Oh, the DOW was up today.

4/15 Expressions

Since we filed early for once - I went to http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=96596,00.html to find out the status of our federal tax refund. It seems to have gotten there and is being processed. I asked my wonderful husband why he didn't e-file. He said - "It costs money." The frugal bug must have caught him. Of course if I were a tireless frugalite, I would calculate how much interest we could have gotten had we put the refund in the bank. But knowing rates aren't too hot these days, I would rather "guestimate" that the filing fees would out-weigh any interest earned. In the mail today, a coupon from Victoria's Secret for a free undergarment item. Wow, I checked out some HUD properties in CA - not that we live there, and there are some drastically reduced property that appears to be in good condition. This is not advice to buy anything from HUD - but for entertainment, a rude awakening, just pure nosy-ness, here is the site: http://www.hud.gov/homes/index.cfm

4/14 Expressions

I haven't read a personal finance related book in a while. While at the book sale, I happened upon "Richistan". I finished a few pages. It looks like it might be interesting. In the mail was a rebate check and 20 postage stamps (Freedom Stamps) for being a mail decoy this month and next month. Of course I got a few pieces of mail I need to call in also.

Last 4/13 Expression

This is our feisty fur family member. She insists on being the boss.

More 4/13 Expressions

Here is one of our fur family members. He was adopted from the dog pound 15 years ago. A bit gray, but he still has some spunk.

More 4/13 Expresssions

Here is the "herb garden". I am sure there are plenty of options for containers - but this one came fron a nearby thrift store and cost .50.